France has formally submitted a technical and commercial proposal to India for the purchase of 114 Rafale multirole fighter jets.
The bid was provided in response to India’s earlier Letter of Request (LoR) for the major government-to-government procurement, issued in May.
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French officials outlined plans for extensive local manufacturing and the integration of Indian-made systems as part of the package.
The proposal is presently under review by India’s Defence Ministry Acquisition Wing and the Indian Air Force (IAF), sources indicated.
A primary focus for Indian evaluators will be the degree to which the offered Rafale jets can incorporate Indian weapon systems, including variants of the Astra air-to-air missile.
The terms proposed by France stipulate that 94 out of the 114 aircraft are to be built in India in partnership with a domestic industry partner.
Dassault Aviation, the lead manufacturer, as well as other French suppliers such as MBDA (missiles), Safran (engines), and Thales (avionics and electronics), are set to participate in the local production effort.
The proposed deal is estimated at Rs 3.25tn ($34.18bn), with domestic industry participation expected to create opportunities worth approximately Rs 1.6tn ($16.8bn) for Indian defence companies such as Tata and Larsen & Toubro.
The drive for greater indigenous content aligns with ongoing concerns about squadron strength within the IAF, which has been affected by the retirement of older Russian-origin MiG jets and delays to new indigenous fighters such as the LCA Mark 1A and Mark 2.
India has already purchased 62 Rafale aircraft for its air force and navy combined. Fulfilment of the current 114-jet request would bring the total to 176, according to ANI.
Additionally, naval plans for up to 31 more Rafales could take the aggregate figure above 200 should new orders proceed.
In February, India’s Defence Acquisition Council approved acquisition plans for multiple defence systems, including the Multi Role Fighter Aircraft project, under which the Rafale is procured.
Recently, India’s Rafale fleet debuted at Exercise Pitch Black in Australia.
